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The United States Navy Memorial

Navy Memorial Honoring the Men & Women of the Sea Services

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Essex

Ship Designation: 
-
Date Lost: 
Monday, March 28, 1814
Action off Valparaiso
On March 28, Captain David Porter attempted to break out of Valparaiso Chile, but Essex lost her main topmast in a gale. ... Disregarding Chilean neutrality, Captain James Hillyard, commanding HMS Phoebe attacked and taking advantage of his guns superior range, slowly but surely battered away at Essex. ... Three hours later Captain Porter was forced to strike his colors, including the blue banner Free trade and sailors' rights — the slogan that had impelled the United States into war. ... Essex lost 58 killed, 31 drowned, and 70 wounded. Essex was taken into the Royal Navy as a 42-gun frigate.

Lost At Sea Log

Number of sailors in this log: 43

Namesort ascending Service Branch
Lieutenant James Wilmer USN
Boy William Williamson USN
Lieutenant James Wilder USN
Seaman William White USN
Seaman Cornelius Thompson USN
Seaman Joseph Thomas USN
Seaman Thomas Terry USN
Seaman James Sellers USN
Ordinary Seaman Thomas Russell USN
Seaman John Russell USN
Seaman Henry Ruffe USN
Seaman John Ripply USN
Seaman John Powell USN
Seaman Thomas Nordyke USN
Ordinary seaman Thomas Mitchell USN
Ordinary Seaman Samuel Miller USN
Quarter Gunner Reuben Marshall USN
Boy William Lee USN
Seaman John Keeling USN
Seaman William` Johnson USN

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